Your 2011 San Diego Padres Opening Day Edition - (Updated 3/28)

March 27, 2011

The San Diego Padres Roster to OPEN the 2011 season

Update 3/28 - Sorry this took so long, but spent morning on plane (what, me on a plane) and then had game to attend.

In an anticipated move, the Padres traded minor league starter Erik Davis to the Washington Nationals for utility man Alberto Gonzale.

To make room for Gonzalez, Everth Cabrera was optioned to AAA Tucson.

The Padres decided they prefer to have Aaron Cunningham play every day instead of as a 5th outfielder so Cedric hunter, who had a phenomenal spring, got the call to fill that spot.

Wade LeBlanc was optioned to minor league camp and will make two starts start there in preparation for 4/12 call up to face Reds as Padres #5 starter.

Mat Latos, Eric Patterson, Jarrett Hoffpauir, Joe Thatcher and Kyle Blanks were placed on the 15 day DL.  Latos, Patterson and Hoffpauir are eligible to return 4/6. Thatcher and Blanks when healthy.

Corey Luebke will fill the left handed specialist/long reliever spot in the bullpen until Thatcher returns or LeBlanc is called up. (Whichever comes first)

Ernesto Frieri and Luis Perdomo also will make the staff, at least until Latos, Thatcher come off DL and LeBlanc is called up to make his 4/12 start.

Dustin Moseley will get the start(s) in Latos absence.

This is a preliminary roster depending on if the Padres make a last minute trade. The roster WILL change within 10 days of opening day as LeBlanc will move from being the lefty out of the pen to the starting rotation for a game against the Reds on April 12th. Likely changes will be made on the 7th or 8th of April.

Starting 8

1B – Brad Hawpe

2B – Orlando Hudson

3b – Chase Headley

SS – Jason Bartlett

LF – Ryan Ludwick

CF – Cameron Maybin

RF – Will Venable

C – Nick Hundley

Bench

OF – Chris Denorfia

OF/Util – Aaron Cunningham – (Patterson will start season on DL)

MI – Everth Cabrera  (3/28- Alberto Gonzalez)

Util – Jorge Cantu

MI - Jarrett Hoffpauir (3/28- Placed on DL)

C – Rob Johnson

Batting Order on Opening Day

Facing Chris Carpenter of the Cardinals

Leading off – Will Venable (LHB) - RF

Batting 2^nd – Jason Bartlett (RHB)– SS

Batting 3^rd – Orlando Hudson (SW) – 2B

Batting 4^th – Brad Hawpe (LHB) – 1B

Batting 5^th – Ryan Ludwick (RHB)– LF (moving back to his natural position)

Batting 6^th – Chase Headley (SW) – 3B

Batting 7^th - Nick Hundley (RHB) – C

Batting 8^th – Cameron Maybin (RHB) – CF

4^th and 5^th will swap depending on RHP or LHP

Starting Rotation

Tim Stauffer - RHP

Aaron Harang - RHP

Clayton Richard - LHP

Mat Latos - RHP (3/28 - Placed on DL retroactive to 3/22)

Wade LeBlanc - RHP (may start in bullpen as his first start will be April 12th vs Reds)
(3/28 - Leblanc optioned to minor league camp until 4/12 start)

Bullpen

Cl  - Heath Bell - RHP

SU - Mike Adams - RHP

SU - Luke Gregerson - RHP

MR - Pat Neshek - RHP

MR - Chad Qualls - RHP

LR - Dustin Moseley - RHP - (Moseley will get start(s) in Latos absence)
LR - Corey Luebke - LHP
LR - Luis Perdomo - RHP
MR - Ernesto Frieri - RHP

Joe Thatcher will start the season on the DL

Ernesto Frieri has options so he will start the season in AAA

The Padres will start the season with only 11 pitchers until LeBlanc has to prepare for his start or about April 8th. Likely Thatcher will come off the DL if he is ready and Cunningham or Hoffpauir would be sent down. If not Frieri or southpaw Luebke could be called up.